32 Zoe’s return

Pattison knocked on a door, holding the first aid box in his hand. Gabriel still didn't call for him. He entered the room carefully. Gabriel sat down, desiring his forehead in his hands. His knuckle was still bleeding profusely.

"Sir?" Pattison started carefully.

"What do you want?"

"Miss Thompson said that you may need some bandages so I brought some." Pattison moved forward as if he was treading on eggshells. He expected an angry outburst any moment now. As he placed the box on the desk, Gabriel looked up at him. He unknowingly smeared blood across his face, and there were several smears across his white shirt. He didn't look angry at that moment, instead, he looked pitiful sad and hurt.

"Thank you." Gabriel reached for the box and silently started cleaning his wound.

"May I be of assistance?"

"No, Pattison." Gabriel sounded tired. "Did Claire seem alright as she left?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's good." Gabriel's cool temper right now made Pattison feel uneasy.

"Sir, I have worked here for years and I've seen a lot, but… I feel like something isn't quite right."

"Don't worry about it, Pattison. I've made a mistake today. I shouldn't have exploded in front of Claire like this." He pulled the bandage tightly around his hand. "The card for Claire should be ready soon. Once it is can you collect it and hand it over to her?"

"I still don't understand…" Pattison uttered.

"To retain Claire as an employee we created a rather peculiar agreement. If something seems out of ordinary, it is probably because of that." Gabriel still spoke with unusual calmness. "You will collect Claire's belongings and bring them to the Villa today.

"Yes, sir."

Claire walked with a gleeful smile back to her office. She quickly contacted HR to ensure Zoe was back as soon as. Moreover, she recommended a pay rise for everyone in her department. She was quick in arranging a software upgrade for later in the week.

Lastly, she picked up the phone and called Daniel's number but it didn't even ring. She looked at it in confusion. She searched for his company to find a phone number for the reception instead, but that was when she was dumbfounded.

The top search result was that of Daniel's company going into administration barely days earlier. She picked up her landline and called Pattison.

"Hey, Mark. Can I ask you for some information?"

"Sure, Claire."

"Now, I just saw the news in regards to the Jones' financial firm and I wondered if you knew anything about it."

"Ehhh…" Pattison was surprised by the question. "Claire, as much as I'd love to help I don't think I can."

"I see. Did Mr Moore have something to do with it?"

"I'm not able to confirm or deny it."

"That's a yes. Thanks, Mark."

Claire sighed. She couldn't get Daniel to bother Gabriel more, but then she still had contacts for Chi Group and Mr Jones senior.

"Mr Jones, it's Claire Thompson," Claire called him. A thought popped into her head. Since she's married, is she even a Thompson or Moore? She dismissed that thought quickly.

"Miss Thompson? That's very unexpected." Mr Jones, the senior, spoke to her.

"Yes, I believe so. I was wondering if you're still interested in the collaboration."

"Of course." Mr Jones struggled to speak. "We've put a lot of money into this project already and it would be amazing to restore the collaboration."

"That's fantastic. I'll send all required paperwork immediately."

"Miss Thompson, is Mr Moore aware of this?"

"Yes, he is." Claire smiled.

"Does he approve?"

"It doesn't matter, Mr Jones. Our department is going through a number of changes and this is currently out of scope for Mr Moore."

"I am happy to hear that it'll be possible to return to our collaboration. Again, I am very sorry about what occurred."

"I am positive that we can make it work and move forward from it." Claire smiled.

"I do hope so."

"I'll send the documents by the end of today. Please review them and then we can get on."

Claire was satisfied that she could bring at least one of her threats to life. She decided to wait for Zoe to join back the department before she contacted the Chi Group.

Zoe walked into Claire's office around noon.

"Claire, what did you do?!" She walked in with a bright smile.

"I've sold my soul to the devil but I guess it was worth it," Claire replied vaguely. Zoe thought that Claire was joking so she let out a laugh.

"Thank you, Claire!"

"Well, I couldn't let one of the best designers work for the competition."

"I was due to start with X6 Global next week so it's a bit of a shame, but nothing I wouldn't do for you, Claire."

"I'm guessing that you're accepting the offer?"

"Of course! It's a nice pay rise too. Never mind the fact that I love my boss!"

"Thank you." Claire smiled at her friend.

"When shall I start?"

"As soon as."

"Now?"

"If you can."

"Of course. Anything that you'd like me to get on with?"

"So… Mr Moore blocked the Chi project that you worked on. Can you get in touch with them and see if they're willing to sign a new contract on that project."

"Are you going behind Mr Moore's back?" Zoe asked worriedly. "Claire…"

"He knows."

"And he's fine with it?"

"He doesn't get to decide."

"Claire…" Zoe looked at her with concern.

"We need to celebrate tonight."

"What happened in the tiger's den?"

"I'll tell you later." Claire smiled. "Get on with work! What are you getting paid for?"

"Sure, boss." Zoe smiled and run over to Claire giving her a tight hug and a peck on the cheek. "Thank you."

"Thank you for coming back."

"I've told you that I'll always be there for you." Zoe let go of Claire and run off to her desk which was still standing empty as if it was waiting for her.

Pattison soon showed up in her office with an envelope in his hand.

"Claire…"

She looked up at him with confusion. She was so focused on her work that she didn't even hear him come in.

"Mark, sorry, I was so…" she was getting a little perplexed.

"I've just brought you this." Pattison passed her the envelope.

"Thank you." Claire took it and opened it to find some papers and a card. As Pattison was about to leave, Claire asked "How is Mr Moore's hand?"

Even as she tried to wind him up and make his life miserable she felt bad for his injuries. She couldn't stop herself from caring, even over the worst of the people.

"It's going to be okay, I'm sure." Pattison smiled as he left.

Claire couldn't wait for long. As soon as Pattison was out she ok out the card and the documents associated with it. As promised, the statement showed 500'000 Pounds. Claire couldn't contain her happiness, she sobbed from the overwhelm. After calming down enough she called St Anne's hospital to arrange for her mum's transfer. As soon as they took her card details their attitude towards her changed. They showed so much more willing to help. They even arranged for specialists to call her for a consultation to discuss her mum's needs. They were keen to discuss their advanced machines and their experiences, trying to reassure Claire that they can help her mum.

It wasn't long before Zoe came back into her office to let her know of the dinner meeting with the Chi Group reps to discuss the contract. Claire agreed to go with her to support her in the negotiations.